Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Reviews – [Top 10 Lifesaver]
Welding helmets are essential safety equipment when welding, and they protect you from UV and infrared ray exposure when welding. When used with an auto-darkening filter, they can be a lifesaver.
Looking to purchase an auto-darkening welding helmet but want to find the best rated?
This guide will walk through the top ten welding helmets and look at what you should be considering when purchasing your next helmet.
Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet Reviews
Comparison List Of Top 10 Best Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
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Product
Price
1) Lincoln VIKING 3350 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Overall
- What’s Unique: 4C lens Technology
- Weight: 3 Pounds
2) ESAB Halo A50 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Runner Up
- What’s Unique: Hard Hat Adapter Option
- Weight: 1.4 Pounds
3) Hobart Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Under $120
- What’s Unique: 4-Independent Arc Sensors
- Weight: 1.25 Pounds
4) Miller 280045 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best High End
- What’s Unique: ClearLight Lens Technology
- Weight: 2.99 Pounds
5) CCM HT50 Hockey Helmet
- Best Under $50
- What’s Unique: Blue Light Vision
- Weight: 1.18 Pound
6) YESWELDER LYG-M800H Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best For TIG
- What’s Unique: Super Large Viewing Size
- Weight: 2.2 Pounds
7) 3M Speedglas Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Auto ON
- What’s Unique: Auto-On Technology
- Weight: 1.0 Pounds
8) YESWELDER LYG-Q800D Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Battery Life
- What’s Unique: Pivot Style Headgear
- Weight: 2.2 Pounds
9) DEKOPRO Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Large Viewing
- What’s Unique: 1/1/1/2 lens clarity
- Weight: 1.54 Pounds
10) JACKSON 46131 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
- Best Emerging
- What’s Unique: Built-in welding shade control
- Weight: 2.0 Pounds
1. Lincoln VIKING 3350 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Overall
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Plastic |
| Style | Welding Helmet |
| Available Colors | 4 |
| Batteries | CR 2450 Battery + Solar Cell |
The Lincoln Electric K3034-4 Viking 3350 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with 4C Lens Technology is the best auto-darkening helmet for superior comfort and more features.
With 4C lens technology, you get a crystal clear, true-colour view and don’t have to worry about eye strain.
The X6 Headgear contours to your head, evenly distributing the weight across six key contact points.
This improves balance, eliminates pressure points and provides a personalized fit for maximum comfort.
It has a 1/1/1/1 optical clarity rating which means that it’s free of common lens imperfections such as blurriness and distortion.
Pros
Cons
2. ESAB Halo A50 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Runner Up
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Nylon |
| Style | Welding Helmet |
| Available Colors | 1 |
| Batteries | 1 C Battery |
Ideal for auto-darkening welding helmets and passive welding helmets. The ESAB Sentinel A50 Welding Helmet offers a revolutionary shell design and several innovative features.
The high-impact resistant nylon shell is extremely lightweight yet durable enough to withstand demanding work environments.
The ultra-comfortable headgear includes a unique three-dimensional adjustable headband that provides an exceptionally comfortable fit.
The Sentinel A50 also features an improved viewing area now measuring 3.93″ x 2.36″ with 1/1/1/2 optical clarity, which allows you to see the weld puddle better than ever before.
The True Color technology used in the lens exceeds the industry standards for colour recognition so that you can see your workpiece more clearly and precisely than ever before.
The advanced digital controls allow you to customize your settings with 8 memory settings and an externally activated shade 4 grind button that can be mounted on the side of the helmet or the welding gun, so it is always within reach when needed.
Finally, the Halo A50 comes equipped with an external grind mode switch that can be mounted on either side of the helmet (hardware included) or on your torch by using the optional ESAB Hard Hat Adapter (sold separately).
Pros
Cons
3. Hobart Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Under $120
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Polyamide Nylon |
| Style | Welding Helmet |
| Available Colors | 1 |
| Batteries | 1 CR2 Battery |
The Hobart 770890 welding helmet is a nice touch for the expert or novice. The Hobart 770890 welding helmet is a direct replacement for the Hobart 770442.
This helmet will fit the same mounting brackets, thumb screws, and helmets as the 770442. The Hobart 770890 will protect you from harmful UV and IR rays.
This auto-darkening welding helmet has a large 9.3 by 14-inch viewing area with a widescreen format, provides improved visibility with less head movement and features four independent arc sensors that provide dependable arc detection in various environmental conditions.
The Grind mode prevents the lens from darkening while grinding and allows a clear, visible grinding view.
Pros
Cons
4. Miller 280045 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best High End
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Plastic |
| Style | Welding Helmet |
| Available Colors | 1 |
| Batteries | 1 C battery |
The Miller 280045 Digital Infinity Series Welding Helmet with ClearLight Lens Technology offers four modes of digital versatility for intense welding and cutting applications.
Methods include Weld Mode ranging from 8 – 13, Cut Mode ranging from 5 – 8, Grind Mode is 3, and X-Mode ranging from 8 – 13.
Auto-on/off power control triggers the lens at the strike of an arc. Improved digital controls allow the user to adjust mode and settings easily.
Premium headgear features additional adjustability settings for better fit and comfort.
Pros
Cons
5. Antra Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Under $50
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Polyamide Nylon |
| Style | Professional Welders |
| Available Colors | 10 |
| Batteries | 3 Lithium Batteries |
Antra AH6 Series welding helmets are designed for today’s most demanding MIG, TIG, MMA or Plasma applications.
They feature an optimal viewing size of 3.86X1.73 with a true-colour view of 1/1/1/2 and a speedy switching time from light to dark in 1/25,000 seconds.
Antra AH6-260 series welding helmet is featured with the smart chip-controlled four sensor auto-darkening lens and high-quality LCD screening to ensure a clear view and lasting durability.
The helmet is fitted with a high-quality auto-darkening lens with four premium sensors (compared to 2 or 3 in other brands), providing consistent auto-darkening performance under various working conditions.
Pros
Cons
6. YESWELDER LYG-M800H Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best For TIG
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Polypropylene |
| Style | Pivot Style |
| Available Colors | 6 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion |
Are you looking for a premium quality welding helmet at an unbeatable price? Are you in search of a sturdy, trustworthy tool that can do multiple jobs at once?
If yes, look no further! YESWELDER large viewing screen actual colour solar power auto-darkening welding helmet is the way to go.
YESWELDER LYG-M800H auto-darkening welding helmet is featured with a super large 3.93 “x3.66” viewing area and 4 premium sensors, which offers better clarity of 1/1/1/2 optical class and a more true-to-life colour view than traditional welding helmets.
It’s also extremely fast and responsive to electric arc from TIG, MIG, MMA or Plasma applications with a grinding feature up to 2000 degrees F.
This auto-darkening welding helmet has been carefully designed to be used on a wide variety of projects and applications.
The high-quality materials used in its construction make it highly durable and give it that extra weight needed to protect from heat and sparks while working.
This solar-powered welding helmet features an adjustable headband for best fitting, a sweatband for maximum wearing comfort and balance, super large 3.93 “x3.
Pros
Cons
7. 3M Speedglas Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Auto ON
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Standard |
| Style | 9100Xxi |
| Available Colors | 1 |
| Batteries | 2 Lithium |
The 3M Speedglas 9100 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet is the world’s first auto-darkening welding helmet to let you see everything you need to in your work area, including your welding puddle, at a glance.
This revolutionary helmet pushes the boundaries of conventional welding helmets by providing ample space to place all required controls and accessories outside the helmet.
As a result, you can use this versatile model for any application, from stick and TIG welding to cutting and grinding.
The helmet’s viewing area provides 110x90mm of unobstructed viewing space, and this is 14 percent more viewing area than that of the 3M Speedglas 9002NC welding helmet.
The large size of this welding helmet allows you to see around your work area quickly, so you have a better view of your work environment.
In addition, the external controls on this model allow you to switch between modes quickly and easily without having to remove your gloves or stop.
Pros
Cons
8. YESWELDER LYG-Q800D Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Durable Battery
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | PP/PA |
| Style | LYG-Q800D |
| Available Colors | 6 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium ion |
The YESWELDER Q800D is a stylish True Color Welding Helmet that offers unbeatable clarity. The three auto-darkening screens darken automatically, each independently in response to light.
The Q800D is equipped with the latest LCD True Color Technology and an ultra-large viewing field. Designed for improved welding performance, the Q800D features three auto-darkening screens with individual sensors that work synchronously for a smooth transition from light to dark.
Increased battery life and superior comfort with the pivot style headgear make this helmet perfect for any working condition.
Pros
Cons
9. DEKOPRO Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Large Viewing
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Polypropylene |
| Style | MZ-236 |
| Available Colors | 3 |
| Batteries | 1 CR2 Battery |
It is a wise choice for purchasing the DEKO PRO Solar Powered Welding Helmet. It is suitable for high welding operation temperature, good optical properties, and fast response time.
It has a large viewing area of 3.85″ x 3.15″, allowing the welder to see clearly at different angles.
The DEKO PRO Solar Powered Welding Helmet is a smart choice for your safety. This welding helmet provides optimal eye protection and versatility in a lightweight, comfortable helmet.
The auto-darkening filter switches from light to dark in 1/25000 sec when an arc is struck, and it returns to a light state when welding stops.
In case of electric failure, the welder remains protected against UV and IR radiation according to shade 16.
The auto-darkening filter (ADF DX-980N) enables welders to adapt to various working environments by controlling the shade of the lens and sensitivity adjustments from ambient lighting sources.
This welding helmet features a battery-powered solar panel technology for longer life (up to 5000 hrs.).
Pros
Cons
10. JACKSON 46131 Auto Darkening Welding Helmet – Best Emerging
Key Features
Key Specifications
| Helmet Material | Polypropylene |
| Style | Open bottom/front |
| Available Colors | 1 |
| Batteries | Not Included |
The Jackson Safety Insight Variable Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is ideal for the professional welder. This welding mask features a variable shade ADF (9-13) and a digital control panel that allows the user to adjust sensitivity and delay.
This helmet also features a 3.94″ x 2.36″ viewing area with a premium 370 Speed Dial easy grip/turn headgear system.
The HLX 100 shell offers an economical alternative to other more expensive welding helmets, but you would expect the same high quality and performance from Jackson Safety.
Jackson Safety offers an industry-leading warranty on this helmet; users can rest assured that this helmet will last for years to come in their workshop or garage.
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the best welding helmet?
The Lincoln Viking 3350 is a professional-grade welding helmet that can be used for various welding applications.
This welding helmet has some awe-inspiring features, so keep reading to learn more about the Lincoln Viking 3350.
The first thing to note about this helmet is its lens speed of 1/20,000 per second, and that makes it one of the fastest auto-darkening welding helmets on the market.
Is a good welding helmet worth it?
Let’s face it, welding is a tough job. The smoke, the heat, the sparks and the fact that you are burning metal all day can be rough on a guy or gal.
But it’s worth it because the money is good and you get to work with your hands. But even though you can make good money, you don’t want to burn through your hard-earned cash buying the wrong welding helmet.
It’s not just essential to have a welding helmet, and it needs to be the fitting welding helmet for you, your job and how often you do it.
That makes choosing the fitting welding helmet essential. Because once you start burning metal, you better have a good welding helmet on your head.
Choosing between auto-darkening helmets and passive lenses can be tricky. And when the smoke starts flying, and the sparks are falling all around you, you need to be able to trust that your helmet will perform as advertised.
How do I choose a welding helmet?
Limited or fixed shade helmets are the most common type of welding helmet in use today. They provide protection and a view of the weld and weld area through a single shade filter plate.
1. Fixed Shade Helmets
The fixed shade helmet is lightweight, easy to use and protects from UV and IR. Fixed shade helmets are often used for MIG welding when the welder uses one particular shade for most of their welding.
They are also popular with welders who use a wide range of amperage settings, do not want to spend extra time switching plates or do not want to spend money on multiple filter plates.
2. Variable Shade Helmets
Variable shade helmets offer the user a more comprehensive range of viewing shades to adjust to a particular welding application.
Variable helmets are great for welders who work with multiple arc welding techniques or joint configurations where the welder may need to see more of the weld puddle than is possible with a fixed shade helmet.
How much should I spend on a welding helmet?
Welding is a complex and dangerous process in which you are exposed to extreme environments, including heat, flames, sparks and chemicals.
Because of this, when welding, you must take all the necessary safety precautions to ensure your protection.
A welding helmet is one such precaution that should be considered as it helps protect your eyes, face and neck from burns, glare and UV rays.
The cost of welding helmets ranges from about $15 for a basic standard helmet to over $100 for auto-darkening helmets depending on the features.
Before buying a helmet, consider what type of welding you will be doing and how frequently.
If you only weld occasionally, spending extra money on an auto-darkening helmet may not make sense because the cost savings will not justify the increased price.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to consider when purchasing your next auto-darkening welding helmet, but with our guide, you should hopefully have a better idea of what factors are important to you.
In reading through this guide, you will have learned all about the features different helmets have and what they can do for you.
Hopefully, you should be able to make an informed decision if you decide to purchase a new helmet in the coming years.
That’s the reason we created this website — not just to review specific items but also to guide and educate those who read our reviews.
The Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 Auto-Darkening Welding Helmet is the ultimate upgrade from an analogue helmet and is one of the best-rated auto gap helmets money can buy.
Its larger viewing area and crystal clear optics, combined with its advanced sensitivity and response system, make it a sure-fire choice for any welding professional.
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